Filing payroll taxes electronically is a smart business move

IRS Tax Tip 2022-74, May 12, 2022

Business owners can simplify things by filing payroll taxes electronically. E-file software performs calculations and populates forms and schedules using a step-by-step process. It will also alert the filer if they are missing information which reduces the chances of receiving an IRS notice.

Here are some of the benefits of filing these forms electronically:

  • It saves time.
  • It's secure and accurate.
  • The filer gets an email to confirm the IRS received the form within 24 hours.

Here's how businesses can e-file:

Here are some of the forms employers can e-file:

Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return
Employers use this form to report annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act tax.

Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return
Employers use this form to report income taxes, social security tax or Medicare tax withheld from employees' paychecks. They also use it to pay their portion of Social Security or Medicare tax.

Form 943, Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return for Agricultural Employees
Employers file this form if they paid wages to one or more farmworkers and the wages were subject to social security and Medicare taxes or federal income tax withholding.

Form 944, Employer's Annual Federal Tax Return
Small employers use this form. These are employers whose annual liability for social security, Medicare and withheld federal income taxes is $1,000 or less. These employers use this form to file and pay these taxes only once a year instead of every quarter. The employer must contact the IRS to request to file Form 944. Employers are not permitted to file Form 944 unless they are notified by the IRS to do so

Form 945, Annual Return of Withheld Federal Income Tax
Employers use this form to report federal income tax withheld from nonpayroll payments.

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